In 2005 the City of Los Angeles created the Small Lot Ordinance to meet the growing need for new housing and lower the barrier to home ownership in the city. By introducing compact single-family housing types on smaller-sized lots, the Ordinance was intended to encourage moderate residential density as a strategy for infill development based on smart growth principles. Now, nearly a decade later, what are the results of the Ordinance, and has it met its goals? What has worked and where does some of the work remain to reach these goals?

Architects Ric Abramson AIA and Derek Ryder will make a presentation (to be followed by a discussion) on the first decade of the Ordinance, and identify design-based opportunities that may be worth further study in order to achieve sustainable, situational and outcome-based solutions that embody smart growth principles and address socio-economic needs.